Amer Burhan, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Western University
2015 – 2016

Background

This project focuses on how the physical movements of people with dementia may assist in predicting the onset of agitated behavioural responses, thereby enabling caregivers to proactively redirect or mitigate such behaviours. The purpose of this study is to compare actigraphy with standard measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Twenty-five participants with Alzheimer’s disease were recruited from geriatric dementia units in Kingston and London.

Findings

Actigraphs appear to be a promising tool to monitor agitation and may offer an alternative to direct observation.

Dissemination

Papers/Articles

1. Knuff, A., Leung, R., Seitz, D., Pallaveshi, L. & Burhan, A. (2019). Use of actigraphy to measure symptoms of agitation in dementia. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27(8), 865-69.

Posters/Presentations

1. Burhan, A.M., Knuff, A., Pallaveshi, L, Ross, T., & Seitz, D. Utility of actigraphy as an agitation-monitoring tool in advanced dementia patients: A pilot study. 8^th Canadian Conference on Dementia. Ottawa, Oct 1-3, 2015. (Poster)

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Crawford, CEO, McCormick Care Group, at 519-432-2648 ext. 2319, or by e-mail at scrawford@mccormickcare.ca